Singapore court postpones case of French teen over vending machine straw lick.
A Singapore court postponed the case of a French teen charged with mischief and public nuisance for licking a vending machine straw. Prosecutors sought time to clarify if his student pass could be revoked upon conviction.
A court case involving a 19-year-old French student accused of filming himself licking a straw from a juice vending machine and placing it back has been postponed after prosecutors requested more time to determine whether a conviction could affect his ability to continue his studies in Singapore.
Proceedings were suspended after prosecutors sought clarification on whether the teenager's student pass could be revoked if he is found guilty.
Didier Gaspard Owen Maximilien was expected to plead guilty to charges of mischief and public nuisance. Prosecutors allege that he committed the offense at a shopping mall on March 12. He was charged on April 24 after the video, which he posted on social media, spread widely online. Maximilien has remained enrolled at a business school in Singapore while released on bail.
Under Singaporean law, the offense of mischief carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, a fine, or both. Public nuisance is punishable by up to three months in prison, a fine, or both. The court adjourned the case until July 30.
Following the incident, IJooz, the company operating the juice vending machine, filed a police report. The company said it sanitized the dispenser and replaced all 500 straws in the machine.
IJooz also announced plans to upgrade its vending machines by introducing individually wrapped straws and compartments that release a straw only after a purchase has been completed.